Liberty OTS 1/13/14 Review

[Weatherman1182]

Just got off a few days ago... 2nd time on the ship.

Me- 31 year old professional from NYC, living in OK.

Her- 28 year old professional from TX, living in OK. Dating for a couple of years and this was our anniversary trip.

 

Check-in:

I had upgraded us to a JS-- my girlfriend had no idea. Checked in through the suite line around 11am (the normal line was also very short) and handed the agent a small note with my passport that said "shh.. she doesn't know I upgraded us to a JS!) went off without a hitch! Went to the Windjammer, then the room around 1. She was very surprised... everything went perfect!

 

Room:

We had #9254 - Junior Suite. Room was huge for a ship-- walk in closet, larger bathroom w/ tub and a very large balcony. JS balconies DO have a full sized table (I had earlier asked on here, some ppl said that they didn't) plus 2 loungers. No complaints. Our room stewart, Chorlita was very very good.. maybe the best I've ever had!

 

Food:

Windjammer for lunch the first day and 1 lunch the 2nd sea day. It was ok. I wish they would change it up a little more. That said, the quality was fine and we had no major complaints.

Dining Room-- excellent. I know food is subjective, but the chefs on this ship are excellent. I tried a few new things, and a few old. All the food was hot and fresh tasting. The fillet of beef was outstanding, as was the lobster. No, it wasn't rubbery- in fact, I'd say that Royal Caribbean improved the lobster since the last time. Our servers were excellent and there were no complaints.

Chops- ate there one night and would say it was worth every penny. Beautiful room, great food and the service (Andre) was outstanding.

Cafe promenade/Sorrentos- didn't eat at these places as much... was always full from each meal, which is a good thing. The pizza and snacks and sorrentos were good though. Not NYC pizza good, but not bad at all.

We tried Portofino the last time we were on the ship- it was great!

 

Activities/Ship:

Ship is fantastic. Great shape, no wear, and always something to do. I liked that this time the compass included things I hadn't seen before like the executive chef doing a huge paella cooking demo by the pool one day. A few games and shows I never saw published when I was on this ship in March. Maybe Royal is listening and changing it up a bit?

Didn't do the ice show or In The Air, since we saw it last time, but they were excellent still, as our friends on the ship told us. Sat. Night Fever was excellent- I don't love the story though; but that's not Royal's fault. Production values were incredible for a cruise ship show.

 

Ports: Falmouth and Labadee

Falmouth- rained the entire time. For $25, we went with a private tour- bus ride and beach access at Dr's. Cave Beach in Montego Bay. Safe and totally worth it. They promptly picked us up at 2pm like requested. The problem? It rained but we still rode the waves. Had it been nice, I'm sure we'd enjoy it more. The port itself was new and very nice.

Labadee-- I like Cococay more. It's big, yes.. lots to do, yes... but the beaches I think, are nicer in the Bahamas. The view and scenery are very nice though. The problem is that Royal offers a ton- but the prices are insane. $99 to zip line for 45 secs to me is a rip-off. Charge half that, and the 2 of us would probably have done it.

The BBQ was just ok... probably the only meal I didn't love on the trip.

 

Used the Diamond lounge.. the concierge was great, but the other server in there at night was not nice at all. Rolled his eyes when i asked for a drink. Strange.

 

Service great all over... everyone pretty much friendly. Lots to do, won about $150 in the casino when all was said and done on the vacation.

 

Complaint: Fellow Passengers:

 

I don't understand some people. Yes, we all work hard and expect our hard earned dollars to provide us with a nice vacation. But come on.

-We checked in on the suite line-- waited for a literal total of 2 minutes. The older couple behind us immediately huffed and puffed that they had to wait. When an agent came over with a huge smile to us and said welcome.. they launched into a speech about how awful this is.

-One night I was up in the Viking Crown (where the diamond event spilled over into) and a very irate man was complaining that he had never seen the hotel director and he must be sleeping all the time. He proclaimed he was diamond plus and demanded to see the cruise director. Everyone around him was looking at this fool.

-Standing in line at guest services to ask a question. A woman was hysterical because she had an early flight and her tags were for late. The manager said not a problem, we'll get you new ones and you'll be all set. She still was upset the tags were wrong in the first place and demanded to speak to his boss. (I don't understand?)

 

Anyway, those were the things I noticed. Excellent trip. Next time we're going to try a different class (I've been on all now except Oasis class) to change it up!

[jebl]

Thanks for the report. Liberty is one of our favs also. Glad to hear they are changing some of the activities.

 

I think the people you mentioned must cruise every week on every ship. There are always those few that complain about everything and anything. The ones that throw their C&A status out with every sentence are really bores. I always figure people like that must be disatisfied with their life and this is how they get noticed.

 

I wish more of those complainers would just go with the flow and enjoy the beautiful ship.

 

Liberty has some of the nicest staff in the fleet.

[Dolby1000]

Complaint: Fellow Passengers:

 

I don't understand some people. Yes, we all work hard and expect our hard earned dollars to provide us with a nice vacation. But come on.

-We checked in on the suite line-- waited for a literal total of 2 minutes. The older couple behind us immediately huffed and puffed that they had to wait. When an agent came over with a huge smile to us and said welcome.. they launched into a speech about how awful this is.

-One night I was up in the Viking Crown (where the diamond event spilled over into) and a very irate man was complaining that he had never seen the hotel director and he must be sleeping all the time. He proclaimed he was diamond plus and demanded to see the cruise director. Everyone around him was looking at this fool.

-Standing in line at guest services to ask a question. A woman was hysterical because she had an early flight and her tags were for late. The manager said not a problem, we'll get you new ones and you'll be all set. She still was upset the tags were wrong in the first place and demanded to speak to his boss. (I don't understand?)

 

Anyway, those were the things I noticed. Excellent trip. Next time we're going to try a different class (I've been on all now except Oasis class) to change it up!

 

 

Last year, on the Allure, my DW and I were sitting in the WJ on embarkation day, smiling, enjoying the sunshine, the magnificent ship and a nice lunch.

 

Two young guys sat behind us and for the next half hour all they did was complain, the food sucked (it didn't, IMHO), the view sucked (really, it'll change in a few hours), the chairs were uncomfortable, the people were rude, the shipped was too crowded, on and on and on it went. DW and I could hardly keep our laughter to ourselves. Here you are on vacation, the ship hasn't even left yet, and everything sucked? How terrible real life must have been for those two.

 

We always take a we are on vacation point of view and having fun approach. When I hear others complain about such mundane things, it actually provides more, and free, entertainment for us!

 

Dolby1000

[Cruzn Fool]

Thanks for the review. It helps to get some positive feedback on Liberty and makes me feel even better because it seems like your cruise point of view is the same as mine.

 

I, simliliar to you, really like the Freedom class ships but also recommend that you do the Oasis class. From what I can gather in your post and what you like to do on cruises, I think you would really enjoy it.

[momofmab]

Thanks for your review! We're doing the exact same cruise in April! Can't wait!

[linedancer]

I was on this same cruise and agree with you. The ship is wonderful. It was my 5th time on her. We had a handicap JS and were very pleased with it. My sister in law couldn't believe how big it was. We agree the food was very good, no complaints at all. We found the crew helpful and pleasant.

 

Can't wait to cruise her again in the future.

 

Irene

[LBumb]

nice review

we love the Liberty

i let rude passengers always complaining as a way to make me relax even more and say Im on vacation, no worries.

[poncho1973]

Nice review. Great surprise.

 

The people amaze me as well. There is a subset of entitled people who think they are the only people on the entire cruise and their needs are #1.